Cellach mac Fáelchair
Encyclopedia
Cellach mac Fáelchair or Cellach Raigni was a King of Osraige in modern County Kilkenny
. He was the son of Fáelchar Ua Máele Ódrain
(died 693), a previous king.
The dynasty that ruled over Osraige in the early Christian period was known as the Dál Birn. His year of accession is unknown, the last king of Osraige to be mentioned in the annals prior to Cellach was Cú Cherca mac Fáeláin
(died 712), however the Book of Leinster
king lists name two other kings between Cú Cherca and Cellach.
At this time Osraige was part of the Kingdom of Munster
and in the 8th century was often involved in conflicts with the men of Leinster
, the Laigin
. Cellach's father had been slain fighting versus Leinster. In 735 the men of Munster led by their king, Cathal mac Finguine
(died 742) fought the Battle of Belach Éile with the men of Leinster. Many Munstermen were slain and among them was Cellach. The location of the battle makes it probable that Cellach of the Osraige was the aggressor and was taking advantage of the rivalry of the Uí Dúnlainge
and the Uí Cheinnselaig
branches of the Laigin at this time.
His son Dúngal mac Cellaig
(died 772) was also King of Osraige but the kingship became dominated by a different line.
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
. He was the son of Fáelchar Ua Máele Ódrain
Fáelchar Ua Máele Ódrain
Fáelchar Ua Máele Ódrain or Fáelchar mac Forandla was a King of Osraige in modern County Kilkenny.He is called the grandson of Máel Ódra in the Irish annals. The genealogies state that Máel Ódra was the son of Scannlan Mór mac Colmáin , a previous king of Osraige. The father of Fáelchar is named...
(died 693), a previous king.
The dynasty that ruled over Osraige in the early Christian period was known as the Dál Birn. His year of accession is unknown, the last king of Osraige to be mentioned in the annals prior to Cellach was Cú Cherca mac Fáeláin
Cú Cherca mac Fáeláin
Cú Cherca mac Fáeláin was a King of Osraige in modern County Kilkenny. He was the son of Fáelán mac Crundmaíl , a previous king. The dynasty that ruled over Osraige in the early Christian period was known as the Dál Birn. He ruled from 693 to 712. The Irish annals mention only his death...
(died 712), however the Book of Leinster
Book of Leinster
The Book of Leinster , is a medieval Irish manuscript compiled ca. 1160 and now kept in Trinity College, Dublin, under the shelfmark MS H 2.18...
king lists name two other kings between Cú Cherca and Cellach.
At this time Osraige was part of the Kingdom of Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
and in the 8th century was often involved in conflicts with the men of Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
, the Laigin
Laigin
The Laigin, modern spelling Laighin , were a population group of early Ireland who gave their name to the province of Leinster...
. Cellach's father had been slain fighting versus Leinster. In 735 the men of Munster led by their king, Cathal mac Finguine
Cathal mac Finguine
Cathal mac Finguine was an Irish King of Munster or Cashel, and effectively High King of Ireland as well. He belonged to the Eóganacht Glendamnach sept of the dominant Eóganachta kin-group whose members dominated Munster from the 7th century to the 10th...
(died 742) fought the Battle of Belach Éile with the men of Leinster. Many Munstermen were slain and among them was Cellach. The location of the battle makes it probable that Cellach of the Osraige was the aggressor and was taking advantage of the rivalry of the Uí Dúnlainge
Uí Dúnlainge
The Uí Dúnlainge, from the Old Irish "grandsons of Dúnlaing", were an Irish dynasty of Leinster kings who traced their descent from Dúnlaing mac Énda Niada. He was said to be a cousin of Énnae Cennsalach, eponymous ancestor of the rival Uí Chennselaig....
and the Uí Cheinnselaig
Uí Cheinnselaig
The Uí Ceinnselaig , from the Old Irish "grandsons of Cennsalach", are an Irish dynasty of Leinster who trace their descent from Énnae Cennsalach, a supposed contemporary of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
branches of the Laigin at this time.
His son Dúngal mac Cellaig
Dúngal mac Cellaig
Dúngal mac Cellaig was a King of Osraige in modern County Kilkenny. He ruled from 770 to 772. He was of the dynasty that ruled over Osraige in the early Christian period known as the Dál Birn and was the son of Cellach mac Fáelchair , a previous king.The Osraige plunged into civil war upon the...
(died 772) was also King of Osraige but the kingship became dominated by a different line.